Giving to the Ark-Valley Humane Society serves a number of functions. Most importantly, it allows you to help care for homeless pets in our community. Secondarily, it may help you fulfill your philanthropic goals and it certainly can give you certain tax benefits. Gifts to AVHS can take many forms, varying from outright gifts to deferred gifts.
Ark-Valley Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization

Outright Gifts

Cash - Of all gifts, cash is the easiest, most direct and most popular gift to give. A cash gift may be pledged on a monthly or annual basis. Because of charitable income tax deductions, the net cost to the donor can be much less than the face amount of the gift. Also, cash gifts are most useful to AVHS, because funds donated are immediately available. Many employers will match your gifts to a charity.

Memorials – When a loved one passes away, requesting that donations be given in their memory to the shelter is a wonderful way to honor the deceased by supporting a cause that was special to them.

Securities - Appreciated securities are often used as gifts because there is a double tax advantage to the donor. Not only is there the charitable deduction advantage, but the donor can also escape paying the capital gains tax on the gift.

Real Estate -Real Estate, like securities, also offers the double tax benefit and can give some write-offs. An advantage of real estate as a gift to AVHS is that in some cases it will provide us with rental income, while at the same time appreciating in value.

Deferred Gifts

Charitable Remainder Trust - With this instrument, property is donated to AVHS under a trust agreement that stipulates how the trust income and principal are to be distributed during the life of the donor.

Gift Annuities - A popular and simple program to use, in exchange for the transfer of cash or marketable securities, AVHS contracts to pay specific annuity payments to the donor or some other beneficiary. Annual payments can begin immediately or at a time when the donor's tax bracket might be lower.

Life Insurance - Buying or transferring a life insurance policy with AVHS as the beneficiary can create a substantial gift for a cost of only a few dollars a year.

Gifts In Your Will - A very popular way of seeing to the ongoing funding of AVHS is to include AVHS as a beneficiary in your will. The bequest can take the form of cash, securities, real estate or other valued objects.

Your Plan to Help You and AVHS

Everyone has an estate, whether it is large or small, well developed or newly planned. Tax advantages have always been a major consideration when planning an estate and charitable giving has always played a major role.
Of the various methods of giving described here, some probably suit your needs better than others. If securing the future of AVHS is important to you, we invite you to consider including us in your financial planning. Your own CPA or financial planner can help you determine what methods would best suit your needs and help us. If you prefer, our financial advisors would be happy to help you plan your gift to AVHS.

Our Support Comes From You

Income for the Ark-Valley Humane Society is primarily from community sources. Part of our income is from the adoption fees paid when one takes home a new dog or cat. Other sources are the contributions and gifts that come from our many supporters. Over the years, the public has supported our fund-raisers, such as our auction and Christmas Gala.
Other income is received from county and city sources that we receive when we take in strays brought in by governmental agencies. Also, we apply for and receive grant money from foundations.
Our goal is to become as self-supportive as we can. To that end we have developed a Planned Giving Program. This program is intended to not only supplement the day-to-day operations, but to lay a foundation for long-term animal care, capital development and operational financing by establishing an endowment fund that eventually will underwrite our budget. There are various ways to give and various programs to support, depending upon your needs and wishes.
The Ark-Valley Humane Society has been taking care of dogs and cats since 1996. It has grown from rather meager beginnings supported by a group of big-hearted founders into an organization that is admired throughout the county and the state. In 2005, the residents of Chaffee County selected the Ark-Valley Humane Society as the best service organization in the county. The shelter is supported in part by volunteers who donate many hours per month, helping the staff with cleaning chores as well as spending individual time with the dogs and cats.